Opposition leaders are heading back to Othaya in Nyeri County today for a church service and public meetings, barely a week after violence disrupted a similar visit and forced former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua to leave the area. The return to the same town is being framed as a show of resolve against what the opposition describes as growing intimidation and shrinking civic space.
The leaders say the visit is meant to reclaim the right to gather freely after an armed group attacked worshippers at ACK Witima last Sunday while Gachagua was attending a service.
Shots were fired at vehicles during the incident, triggering panic and raising concerns over safety at public and religious gatherings.
The renewed visit follows a meeting between opposition leaders and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, where they sought assurances on security for their activities. The meeting took place just a day before the planned return to Othaya.
“We will return to Othaya and meet the people. We have already informed police of the meeting and the need for security,” Gachagua told a rally at Wakulima market yesterday.
Several senior opposition figures are expected to take part in the tour, including People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Wiper Patriotic Front’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya, Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i, Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
According to a programme shared by Wiper party, the day will begin with a church service at ACK Gitugi in Mathioya, Murang’a County. The leaders will then hold a public meeting in Gitugi town at 1pm before proceeding to Othaya at 3pm for further engagements.
Organisers say the activities are aimed at affirming faith, strengthening community unity, and defending the right to worship without fear. They add that the meetings in Othaya are intended to mobilise supporters while directly responding to the violence witnessed during last Sunday’s service.
The opposition leaders are expected to speak out against attacks directed at them and insist that threats and violence will not silence dissent or limit constitutional freedoms. Political analysts say the decision to return to Othaya so soon after the church attack places the opposition at the centre of a broader debate on insecurity and claims of state-backed intimidation.
